Scent projectile missile and launcher

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a device and method for better enabling outdoors-people to see more wild animals up more closely by helping to cover up or mask their human scent at a greater distance. In the method of the present invention the outdoorsman arrives at his or her desired location and then proceeds to launch scent missiles (loaded with desired scent) in different directions, using the launcher. Typically four such scent missiles will be launched in directions approximately ninety degrees from each other. This surrounds the outdoorsman with natural woodsy odors thereby covering up or masking his/her own human odors.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a means and method for better enablingoutdoorspeople to see more wild animals up more closely by helping tocover up or mask their human scent at a greater distance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the major problems facing a watcher, photographer or hunter ofwild animals is the difficulty of getting or being close to same withoutbeing detected. The present invention addresses this problem andprovides a means and method for better enabling the outdoorsperson toget closer to the wild animals.

A novelty search on the idea of the present invention was carried out.Specifically the search was directed to the use of a scent or aromabeing deployed to mask the odors of humans from the animals, so thehuman can not be detected by the animal.

The following patents were found:

    ______________________________________                                        Patentee                                                                             Patent Number                                                                             Title            Date                                      ______________________________________                                        Bilyeu 3,046,192   Scent for Attracting Wi1d                                                                      7/24/62                                                      Game and Method for its                                                       Use                                                        Sakschek                                                                             4,609,245   Dispenser and Method for                                                                       9/2/86                                                       Dispensing Hunting Odors                                   Reeves 4,682,715   Detachab1e Shoe-Lure                                                                           7/28/87                                                      Dispenser                                                  Grinarmi                                                                             4,735,010   Scent Dispenser for                                                                            4/5/88                                                       Attachment Under a Shoe                                    ______________________________________                                    

The Bilyeu patent, column 1, lines 66-7, states that a composition canmask the man-scent, but all claims relate to lure animals.

The Sakschek patent also states, column 1, lines 16 et seq., that someodors are used to mask the smell of a human, but the claims relate tothe dispensing of the lure fluid through the device.

The reeves and Grinarmi patents both relate to devices attached to theshoes to spread lure to attract animals.

In any event, none of the patents found in the search teach or suggestthe novel means and method as taught by the present invention for betterenabling outdoorspeople to see more wild animals up more closely byhelping to cover up or mask their human scent at a greater distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the method of the present invention the outdoorsman arrives at his orher desired location and then proceeds to launch scent missiles (loadedwith desired scent) in different directions using the launcher.Typically four such scent missiles will be launched in directionsapproximately ninety degrees from each other. This surrounds theoutdoorsman with natural woodsy odors thereby covering up or maskinghis/her own human odors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a horizontal perspective view of a scent missile as can beemployed in carrying out the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a horizontal perspective view of the head of the scentmissile-separated in half; and

FIG. 3 is a cut out side view of a launcher that can be used to launchthe scent missile of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in more detail to FIG. 1, the missile 1 is comprised ofhead 2 and shaft 3. Typically the head will be cylindrical in shape witha convex shaped outer end or tip 4 and will have a diameter of about 1inch and a length from its tip 4 to its opposite end 5 of about 2inches. Shaft 3 will typically have a diameter from about 1/3 to about1/2 the diameter of the head and a length of about 4 to 5 inches. Themissile will typically be made from an all-weather resistant,unbreakable, fluorescent orange plastic material.

In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, head 2 will possessthreads 6, externally and internally near the center of the head tofacilitate the taking apart of an servicing of the head with desiredscent; and will also possess a multiplicity of vent holes 7 throughsurface 8 through which the scent composition placed within said head iscapable of evaporating, thereby emitting such scent. (Preferably fromabout 20 to about 30 holes). Typically such scent composition within thehead will be in liquid form impregnated upon a fabric packing materialplaced within said head. In such an embodiment the end of shaft 3connected to the end 5 of the head could be integral therewith and ofmolded, one-piece construction where the shaft and head meet.

Alternatively, and/or in conjunction with the embodiment describedabove, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the head can be so designed as tohave an internal thread therein for a short distance from its end 5 tobe threaded upon external thread 20 on shaft 3 at its end connected tothe head.

Typically, the scent liquid employed will be capable of substantiallyfully evaporating within a period of about one hour to about three hoursafter landing in the position to where it has been launched; it beingappreciated that the evaporation can proceed at an uneven rate and thata substantial amount of same can occur, for example, within the first 15to 30 minutes or so.

Referring now in more detail to FIG. 3, the launcher is depictedgenerally by the numeral 10 and includes a cylindrical barrel 11slightly larger in diameter than the shaft 3 of the missile; acompressable coil spring 12 contained within a mid-chamber 13 of thelauncher; said mid-chamber having solid faces 14 and 15 at each endthereof and being changeable in its length as the shaft 3 of the missile1 is forced against the contacting end 14 of the mid-chamber, so as tocompress the spring to provide the potential force for launching themissile, when release mechanism 16 is activated to enable the spring toreturn to its non-compressed condition, thus launching the missle. Thelauncher may also possess a sound cushion 17 so as to deaden or silencethe sound of the launching of the missile. Overall, when the missile isplaced within the launcher and is in the "ready to fire" position, thecombination has an appearance similar to a small flashlight with a blunttip. As so designed, the potential force created by the compressing ofthe spring is capable of launching the missile a distance of from about15 yards to about 30 yards.

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT USAGE, BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES

As previously indicated, the present invention provides a means andmethod for better enabling outdoors people to see more wild animals upmore closely, by helping to cover up or mask their human scent atgreater distance. By launching the scent projectile missiles thedistances indicated herein, a "scent shield" radius, diameter orcircumference can be created at a greater distance than heretoforebelieved possible.

The missile-launcher combination is unique and appealing because it isvery portable and allows the outdoorsman to mask his/her human scentwithout leaving his/her desired location.

The idea fulfills the need to mask human odor as well as attract gameanimals for viewing and hunting purposes.

The benefits the user receives is the ability to overcome and takeadvantage of a wild animal's keen sense of smell.

A problem that the idea solves is preventing or avoiding or reducing theearly detection of a photographer's or a hunter's presence orwhereabouts.

Wild animal watchers can use the idea as well as photographers andhunters.

Because the missile preferably possesses a fluorescent orange color, andis substantially all-weather resistant and substantially unbreakable, itis generally easy to find and retrieve by its user; and usable over andover, thus being very economical also for accomplishing its purpose.

Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerousstructural modifications and adaptations in the missile and/or in thelauncher may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fairmeaning of the instant application as described herein above and asclaimed herein below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination capable of masking human odor so asto facilitate the closer-up viewing and hunting of game animals, saidcombination consisting of:a. a scent projectile missile; b. a scentcomposition contained within same; and c. a launcher for themissile;said scent projectile missile consisting of a solid cylindricalshaft having a flat surface at one end which is contacted and acted uponby the launcher and the other end of which is integrally attached to alarger diameter hollow head, said head having a convex shaped outer endand having threads which are formed externally and internally near itsaxial center so as to facilitate its being taken apart and serviced withthe scent composition, and said head having a multiplicity of vent holesthrough its outer cylindrical surface; said scent composition being onethat is capable of masking the man-scent; and said missile launcher,consisting of a cylindrical barrel slightly larger in diameter than theshaft of the missile, a release mechanism, and a compressible coilspring contained within a mid-chamber of the launcher, said mid-chamberhaving solid faces at each end thereof and being changeable in itslength as the contacting end of the shaft of the missile is forcedagainst a solid face of the mid-chamber, so as to compress the spring toprovide the potential force for launching the missile when the releasemechanism is activated, to enable the spring to return to itsnon-compressed condition.
 2. A combination according to claim 1 whereinthe diameter of the shaft of the missile is about 1/2 inches and itslength is about 3 inches, wherein the diameter of the missile head isabout 1 inch and its length is about 2 inches, wherein the length of thebarrel of the launcher is about 11/2 inches, wherein the diameter of thelauncher is about 1 inch, wherein the length of the barrel's mid-chamberis about 2 inches when the spring is non-compressed and wherein thelength of the launcher is about 5 inches.
 3. a combination according toclaim 1 wherein said missile head contains from about 20 to about 30vent holes.
 4. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the potentialforce created by the compressing of the spring is capable of launchingthe missile a distance of from about 15 yards to about 30 yards.
 5. Acombination according to claim 1 wherein the scent composition is inliquid form impregnated upon a fabric packing material placed withinsaid head and wherein the liquid is capable of evaporating through thesaid vent holes.
 6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein theliquid is capable of evaporating within a period of from about 1 hour toabout 3 hours.
 7. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the missileis made from plastic, possesses a fluorescent orange color, and issubstantially all-weather resistant and substantially unbreakable.
 8. Acombination according to claim 1 wherein the launcher possesses a soundcushion near the missile contacting end of the mid-chamber so as todeaden or silence the sound of the launching of the missile when therelease mechanism is activated.